"So am I," replied Oscar Chester. "I wish you were in command instead of Thad Glovering."
"Thad will do very well," answered Dory.
"Those fellows can't let us alone if they try. What's that? They have passengers in the stern sheets."
Dory took a spy glass from the brackets and glanced at the barges.
"They have eight of the Topovers with them."
"You will see most of that crowd on board the caisson before long," said Oscar. "They will cut the tow-lines or cast them off if they can."
At this moment Captain Glovering entered the pilot-house.